“Heaven, I’m in Heaven...” The croon of the 1930s classic - a refreshing break from the standard techno-pop - aptly sets the stage for an experience as suave and inventive as the debonair Mr. Astaire. In fact, “heaven” is the word guests reach for to describe their stay in one of 18 loft-style suites. Quartered into living room, kitchenette, bedroom and sybaritic bathroom, the open spaces are sparkling and snazzy, yet so seductively comfortable you may find yourself staying in. A lot.
Linger beneath 6 (count ‘em) showerheads. The afternoon sun bounces tiny rainbows off bevelled mirror-tiles. The view of night-lit mosques in Old Istanbul from your rocking chair could make your whole trip. New to the hotel business, brother and sister Tuncel Toprak and Seçil Erdoðan trusted the bold genius of their fresh perspective to trump their lack of hands-on experience. Classic materials - thick slabs of Marmara marble and gleaming French subway tiles - blend with the custom handcrafted furnishings and sleek fixtures of leading-edge designers. The result: a true original.
Highs
- Ideal for long-term stays; space to spare, a nicely equipped kitchenette and real closet - with shelves, drawers and shoe racks, not just a few hangers
- Magical views from the permaculture rooftop and some of the more expensive suites
- Uber-style emphasizing comfort; everything you need from microwave to a one-box music system
- Tucked into a quiet residential neighbourhood dotted with corner markets and outdoor cafes - yet close to the business centre, citywide transportation and Beyoglu shopping
- 1:1 employee-to-suite ratio; genuine warmth and a spate of personal services, from shopping assistance to unpacking service
Lows
- Outside walls are soundproof, but there’s no separation of sleeping area from living areas inside the suite
- Minimalist, monochrome design may not suit those looking for traditional Turkish architecture and colour
- Residential setting may be too far from sightseeing for first-timers and too tame for club-hounds; some taxi drivers need directions (you’ll get a Turkish “cheat-sheet”)
- No on-site restaurant or spa, although you can order meals from local restaurants
Best time to go
Spring or autumn, as Istanbul can be stiflingly hot in the summer months (June – September), and freezing in mid-winter, though it’s busy all year-round. Crowd-pulling annual events include a programme of arts events run by the Istanbul Culture and Arts Foundation: the Film Festival in April, Theatre Festival in May, and the Music Festival in June/July.
Our top tips
“We want our guests to feel at home whether they stay a day or a month,” says Seçil. The quiet residential location is ideal for long-term guests and families. Istanbul - old and new - is easily accessible. First-time visitors need at least two days to see the city sights, but a week would not be too long.
- Boutique Hotel
- 18 rooms
- Breakfast + basic self catering (walk to restaurants)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
Tuncel Toprak appointed Autoban - an award-winning Istanbul-based architecture, interior and product design firm - to capture his vision.
The result is 18 open, airy suites dressed in a fascinating collage of textures, including hardwood floors, marble slab, leather upholstery, faux walls laser-punched with fluid swirl designs, all bathed in natural light from 4 sets of double-doors.
Crisp white bed linens and wrought iron flourishes add definition to warm earth tones. All the furnishings are from Autoban’s own minimalist line, including the cosiest of king- or queen-sized beds with a leather-upholstered wingback-style headboard.
Another first in any hotel: Ross Lovegrove’s Istanbul bathroom series, a high style update to the traditional marble Turkish bath that includes a bouquet of showerheads raining from the ceiling of a shower roomy enough for two. You also get spoiling Molton Brown toiletries.
Categories are assigned by view and terrace space. All suites - except the King - have panoramic vistas of the bustling traffic on the Bosphorus, as well as a handful of major landmarks. The King and Queen with Panoramic Terrace and the Penthouse suites have a glorious wraparound terrace, too; do note that the Queen suite is by far the smallest room, but we'd certainly be happy here for a long weekend. Each comfortable cocoon comes complete with individually controlled air con, WiFi, flat-screen TV, and a Nespresso machine.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
Enjoy breakfast in your room at no extra charge. Or head for the buffet set in the lobby from 7.30-11am each day. Choices range from Turkish standards (tomatoes and cucumbers, marinated olives, white cheeses, yoghurt with dried fruit) to more international fare including dry cereals, eggs, breads, pastries and fresh seasonal fruits.
King and King Panoramic rooms have a well-equipped marble kitchen island, with a large sink, microwave and mini-bar/fridge. Some King Rooms also have an oven with stove top. With utensils - from a cutting board to an electric kettle - and serving ware, you can prepare snacks and small meals. The mini-bar (stocked with the standards) doubles as a refrigerator roomy enough for purchases at neighbourhood markets.
You get complimentary room service; the front desk can recommend restaurants in the neighbourhood or farther afield, and make reservations or arrange to have dinner delivered to your room.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Dinner by arrangement
- Kitchenette
- Lunch by arrangement
- Microwave
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
Activities
- Join neighbourhood artists and intellectuals at corner cafes in Cihangir; Beyoglu is the heart of modern Istanbul and home to a thriving arts scene, bars, and some of the best restaurants in the city. A 12-minute walk from Taksim Square - Istanbul’s Piccadilly Circus - where you can catch a metro to anywhere
- Take a taxi across Galata bridge to Sultanahmet (10-15 minutes away); home to one of the richest concentrations of ancient relics in the world, among them the Suleymaniye and Sultanahmet (or Blue) Mosques, Hagia Sophia (a 6th century Byzantine marvel) and the Topkapi Palace, you could easily spend two days there
- Take to the water: cruising up and down the Bosphorus on a ferry or a tourist boat is one of the best ways to see the city, and all the main docks - Karakoy, Eminonu and Kabatas - are within easy distance of the hotel
- Go shopping: From the haggles of the Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carshi) (10 minutes by tram) and Spice Market to the high-street stores that line the mile-long pedestrianised Ýstiklâl Caddesi, or the designer boutiques of Nistantasi, Istanbul is a shopaholic's dreamland
- Go party: Beyoglu is Istanbul’s club central and many of the better night spots are within walking distance. Try Nardis Jazz Club, Istanbul 360 (a cool rooftop terrace bar) or Babylon (for world music)
- Do the museums and galleries circuit: the Pera Museum in the nearby Tepebasi district is housed in a lovely Victorian building (once the Bristol Hotel); or Istanbul Modern (Istanbul’s answer to Tate Modern) is housed in a converted waterside warehouse at Kabatas (a five-minute walk)
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Shopping / markets
- Traditional cultures
Kids
The hotel’s residential location and kitchen facilities are convenient for families, but there are no extra beds (only baby cots) so it's best for infants or self-sufficient teens.
Family friendly accommodation:
Cots Available
Babysitting:
Babysitting can be arranged on request.
Baby equipment:
Baby cots are available on request.
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Set on a steep hill in quiet Cihangir - a charmingly gentrified residential neighbourhood off the tourist track - but close to the action of European Beyoglu. Once you’ve arrived, you’ll get a pocket-sized brochure with a map and detailed directions to the hotel in Turkish for taxi drivers. The nearest tram station is Tophane, a 5-minute-walk from the hotel and the nearest subway station is Taksim Square, a 12-minute-walk from the hotel.
By Air:
The nearest airport is Istanbul Airport (40km away).
From the Airport
It’s a 45-minute taxi ride from Istanbul Airport to Beyoglu, though the journey can grow rapidly during rush hour. The hotel can arrange a transfer. If you are driving, the hotel can pay for parking in a nearby car park. See Rates.
By Ferry:
The nearest ferry services (for boats across the Bosphorus) are at Karakoy (to the south) and Kabatas (to the north).
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
More on getting to Turkey and getting around
Airports:
- Istanbul Airport 40.0 km IST
- Sabiha Gökçen International 43.0 km SAW
Other:
- Beach 45.0 km
- Shops 1.0 km
- Restaurant 0.2 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 3 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape